According to this press release from Assembly Member Seawright's office:

On Friday, March 18, 2016 residents of Roosevelt Island, Yorkville, and the Upper East Side, along with Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney attended the Second Annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony at the community office of Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright honoring six local women for their outstanding work and dedication to the community.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney along with Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright presented the awards and spoke to the accomplishments of women in history and the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment in Congress. Ellen Polivy and Margie Smith were two of those honored for their work on behalf of their community on Roosevelt Island.

Margie Smith

is a lifetime New Yorker and longtime Roosevelt Island resident. A true advocate for Roosevelt Island, Margie is Chair of the Governance Advisory Committee and a member of the Operations Committee of RIOC. Currently, she is also the Director of Administration for one of the largest brand licensing companies in the world.

Ellen Polivy

is a social worker and Roosevelt Island resident. Ellen is an activist on Community Board 8, serving as a host on CB8 Speaks. Ellen is an activist in her own community as co-chair of Roosevelt Island Community Coalition and former president of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association. Additionally, she is an advocate for the elderly, sitting on the board of Bird S. Coler chronic care hospital, and in her own personal geriatric care management practice.

In addition, Alice Heyman,

the Founder of the First Women’s Bank, community organizer and activist also received an award. She contributed much needed funds that made the completion of the FDR Hope memorial possible. Until recently, she wished to remain anonymous for her generous contribution to Roosevelt Island.

Eileen Toback is a labor advocate, coalition leader and campaign organizer, currently serving as executive director of the New York Professional Nurses Union, advocating for safe staffing of nurses and quality patient care.

Loraine Brown is a member of Community Board 8, where she serves as co-chair of the Housing committee. Notably, Loraine is working with the White House’s Leadership Council to address “Prison Sentencing Reform.

Zoe Markowitz is the youngest member of Community Board 8, where she serves on the Land Use and Youth and Education Committees. Zoe has also worked with US Senator Charles Schumer and advocates for seniors on the DOROT Next Generation Teen Council.

“It is important to recognize the women who paved the way,” Assembly Member Seawright said in her remarks. “We stand taller because we stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us, and they deserve to be recognized here today.”

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Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to Manhattan has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

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